### Morena’s Judicial Reform Faces Legal Challenges
The Senate of the Republic is at a critical juncture as it deliberates on a comprehensive constitutional reform aimed at restructuring Mexico’s Federal Judiciary. This follows the approval by the Chamber of Deputies of measures that include the popular election of judges, magistrates, and ministers, along with changes that could historically alter the nation’s justice system. However, a district judge in Morelos has issued a definitive suspension to delay the immediate discussion of this reform.
On September 4, the Senate received the reform proposal from the Chamber of Deputies and referred it to the Committees on Constitutional Points and Legislative Studies for standard processing. Members of the Movement of National Regeneration (MORENA) initially indicated that the committees would issue their report by September 8, and the Senate would hold its first plenary session on the matter on September 10. The reform was approved in the Chamber of Deputies by MORENA, along with its allies (the Green Party and the Labor Party), with a 357 to 130 vote.
The proposals go beyond electing judicial officials through popular vote; they also aim to reduce the number of Supreme Court justices from 11 to 9 and eliminate the Federal Judicial Council, replacing it with an administrative body and a Judicial Discipline Tribunal.
One notable aspect of the proposal is the creation of “faceless judges” to protect the identities of those handling criminal cases involving organized crime. The constitution’s current stipulation of 15-year terms for Supreme Court justices would be reduced to 12 years.
To pass the constitutional reform in the Senate, MORENA and its allies need a qualified majority of 86 votes, assuming all 128 senators are present. Controversy persists around the exact number of votes required, with different interpretations fueling additional political tension.
Judge Martha Eugenia Magaña López, from Morelos, has put forth a definitive suspension to prevent the discussion and state-level approval of the reform until the foundation of the amparo lawsuit challenging it is resolved. Despite previous suspensions granted by various judges, the deputies disregarded them and proceeded with the lower chamber’s approval.
Ricardo Monreal, leader in the Chamber of Deputies, challenged the ruling, arguing it violates constitutional principles and legal procedures. Meanwhile, the Judiciary employees, law students, and even Supreme Court justices have staged indefinite strikes opposing the reform proposal. The strikes have considerably delayed the judicial process, evoking public inconvenience and criticism of disrupted justice.
### The International and Economic Impact
The judicial reform discussions have also stirred international concerns, particularly from the United States. Ken Salazar, the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, warned that improperly executed reforms could harm Mexico-U.S. relations. The reform proposal has led to financial instability, affecting the peso-dollar exchange rate and heightening foreign investment uncertainties. Salazar’s comments on the potential risks have sparked diplomatic friction between Mexico and the United States.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has strongly condemned foreign interference, cautioning against external influence on Mexican policy. López Obrador emphasized that the judicial reform is an internal matter, not open to international discourse.
Simultaneously, the ongoing indefinite strike by the Federal Judiciary’s employees, joined by law students and Supreme Court justices, signals widespread internal dissent against the proposed changes. Their coordinated protests underline the significant resistance within Mexico’s legal community as the Senate deliberates on the reform’s future.
### Additional Developments
Other news outlets have reported that independent analysts and domestic industries are equally concerned about the proposed judicial reforms and their potential ripple effects. The business community, in particular, foresees an increase in legal complexities and operational risks should the reforms be enacted. This adds a layer of economic urgency to the already politically charged debate.
Ken Salazar reiterated the U.S. administration’s stance advising caution on the judicial reform approach, hinting at possible diplomatic repercussions if Mexico fails to address shared concerns effectively. This external pressure coincides with internal unrest, marking a pivotal moment in Mexico’s legislative landscape.
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